Access to Assistive Technologies Among Older Adults in Iran: A Secondary Analysis of the 2022 Rapid Assistive...

Aging is often accompanied by physical and cognitive decline, increasing the need for assistive technologies (ATs) to support daily living. Despite the clear benefits of ATs, access remains a significant barrier, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores access to ATs among older adults in Iran, using data from the 2022 Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) Survey.

This secondary analysis was based on cross-sectional data drawn from a subsample of 2888 participants aged 60 years and older, obtained from the 2022 Iran rATA survey. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to examine self-reported functional difficulties and access to ATs, with group differences tested using chi-square and t tests or nonparametric equivalents as appropriate.

Overall, 1979 participants (68.58%) reported experiencing at least 1 functional difficulty. Among them, 1527 (76.23%) used at least 1 AT. The use of AT varied significantly by location, with urban residents reporting greater access than their rural counterparts. Most ATs were provided by the private sector (965, 65.47%) and primarily funded out-of-pocket (951, 64.52%). Additionally, 1230 users (83.45%) expressed satisfaction with their devices.

The findings underscore the need for targeted policies to strengthen governance and reduce financial and geographic barriers to ATs for older adults. Strengthening public provision, improving affordability, and integrating ATs into health systems are key priorities for equitable aging.